said swain) I keep her as a vessel of thy law's] tury; and shall, at the least of thy sweet notice, "bring her to trial. Thine, in all compliments "of devoted and heart-burning heat of duty, "DON ADRIANO DE ARMADO." 5 Biron. This is not so well as I look'd for, but the best that I ever heard.

King. Ay, the best for the worst. But, sirrah, what say you to this?

Cost. Sir, I confess the wench.

King. Did you hear the proclamation?

Cost. I do confess much of the hearing it, but little of the marking of it.

10

King. It was proclaim'd a year's imprisonment to be taken with a wench.

15

Cost. I was taken with none, sir; I was taken with a damo el.

King. Well, it was proclaimed damosel.

Cost. This was no damosel, neither, sir; shel was a virgin.

King. It is so varied too; for it was proclaim'd, virgin.

Cost. If it were, I deny her virginity; I was taken with a maid.

Arm. And therefore apt, because quick.
Moth. Speak you this in my praise, master?
Arm. In thy condign praise.

Moth. I will praise an eel with the same praise.
Arm. What that an eel is ingenious?
Moth. That an eel is quick.

Arm. I do say, thou art quick in answers:

20 Thou heat'st my blood.

King. This maid will not serve your turn, sir. 25
Cost. This maid will serve my turn, sir.
King. Sir, I will pronounce sentence; You shall
fast a week with bran and water.

Cost. I had rather pray a month with mutton and porridge.

King And DonArmado shall be your keeper.-
My lord Biron, see him deliver'd o'er.-
And go we, lords, to put in practice that
Which each to other hath so strongly sworn.

30

[Exeunt: 35 Biron. I'll lay my head to any good man's hat, These oaths and laws will prove an idle scorn. Sirrah, come on.

Cost. I suffer for the truth, sir: for true it is, I was taken with Jaquenetta, and Jaquenetta is a 40 true girl; and therefore, Welcome the sour cup of prosperity! Affliction may one day smile again, and till then, Sit thee down, sorrow!

[Exeunt.

Arm. Boy, what sign is it, when a man of great spirit grows melancholy?

Moth. A great sign, sir, that he will look sad. Arm. Why, sadness is one and the self-same thing, dear imp'.

Moth. No, no: O lord, sir, no.

Arm. How canst thou part sadness and melancholy, my tender juvenal2?

Moth. By a familiar demonstration of the working, my tough signior.

Arm. Why tough signior? why tough signior? Moth. Why tender juvenal? why tender juvenal ?

145

Moth. I am answer'd, sir.

Arm. I love not to be cross'd.

Moth. He speaks the mere contrary, crosses love not him.

Arm. I have promised to study three years with the duke.

Moth. You may do it in an hour, sir.
Arm. Impossible.

Moth. How many is one thrice told?

Arm. I am ill at reckoning, it fitteth the spirit of a tapster.

Moth. You are a gentleman, and a gamester, sir. Arm. I confess both; they are both the varnish of a complete man.

Moth. Then, I am sure, you know how much the gross sum of deuce-ace amounts to.

Arm. It doth amount to one more than two.
Meth. Which the base vulgar do call, three.
Arm. True.

Moth. Why, sir, is this such a piece of study? Now here is three studied, ere you'll thrice wink: and how easy it is to put years to the word three, and study three years in two words, the dancing horse will tell you.

Arm. A most fine figure!

Moth. To prove you a cypher.

Arm. I will hereupon confess, I am in love: and as it is base for a soldier to love, so I am in love with a base wench. If drawing my sword 50 against the humour of affection would deliver me from the reprobate thought of it, I would take desire prisoner; and ransom him to any French courtier for a new-devised court'sy. I think scorn to sigh; methinks, I should out-swear Cupid. 55 Comfort me, boy; What great men have b.en in love?

3 Crosses here mean money.

Imp means his infant or little page. i. e. my tender youth. This alludes to a horse belonging to one Banks, which played many remarkable pranks, and is frequently ment oned by many writers contemporary with Shaksp

speare,

Moth.

10

15

Arm. Green, indeed, is the colour of lovers: but to have a love of that colour, methinks, Samson had small reason for it. He, surely, affected 20 her for her wit.

Moth. It was so, sir; for she had a green wit. Arm. My love is most immaculate white and red.

Moth. Most maculate thoughts, master, are 253 masked under such colours.

Arm. Define, detine, well-educated infant.
Moth. My father's wit, and my mother's tongue,

Arm. Sweet invocation of a child; most pretty, 30 and pathetical!

Moth. If she be made of white and red,

Her faults will ne'er be known;

For blushing cheeks by faults are bred,
And fears by pale-white shown:

A dangerous rhime, master, against the reason of 40 white and red.

Arm. Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the Beggar?

Moth. The world was very guilty of such a ballad some three ages since: but, I think, now, 'tis 45 not to be found; or, if it were, it would neither serve for the writing, nor the tune.

Arm. I will have that subject newly writ o'er, that I may example my digression' by some mighty precedent. Boy, I do love that country girl, that 50 I took in the park with the rational hind Costard;

Arm. Sing, boy; my spirit grows heavy in love. 55 Moth. And that's great marvel, loving a light wench.

Moth. Forbear, till this company be past.

Enter Dull, Costard, and Jaquenetta.
Dull. Sir, the duke's pleasure is, that you keep

Digression here signifies the act of going out of the right way.

ACT II.

Before the King of Navarre's Palace.
Enter the Princess of France, Rosaline, Maria,
Katharine, Boyet, Lords, and other Attendants.
Boyet. NOW, madam, summon up your dearest
spirits;

Consider who the king your father sends;
To whom he sends; and what's his embassy:
Yourself, held precious in the world's esteem;
To parey with the sole inheritor

Of all perfections that a man may owe,
Matchless Navarre; the plea of no less weight
Than Aquitam, a dowry for a queen.
Be now as prodigal of all dear grace,
As nature was in making graces dear,
When she did starve the general world beside,
And prodigally gave them all to you.

[mean,]

1351

Prin. Now, what admittance, lord?
Boyet. Navarre had notice of your fair approach;
And he and his competitors in oath
Were all address'd' to meet you, gentle lady,
Before I came. Marry, thus much I have learnt,
40 He rather means to lodge you in the field,
(Like one that comes here to besiege his court)
Than seek a dispensation for his oath,
To let you enter his unpeopled house.
Here comes Navarre.

45 Enter the King, Longaville, Dumain, Biron, and
Attendants.

King, Fair princess, welcome to the court of

Prin. Fair, I give you back again; and, wel50 come I have not yet; the roof of this court is too high to be yours; and welcome to the wide fields, too base to be mine.

55

Prin. I will be welcome then; conduct me thither.

Cheap or cheping was anciently the market; chapman therefore is marketman.

King. Your ladyship is ignorant what it is.
Prin. Were my lord so, his ignorance were wise,
Where now his knowledge must prove ignorance.
I hear, your grace hath sworn-out house-keeping: 10
'Tis deadly sin to keep that oath, my lord,
And sin to break it:

But pardon me, I am too sudden bold;
To teach a teacher ill beseemeth me.
Vouchsafe to read the purpose of my coming,
And suddenly resolve me in my suit.

15

King, Madam, I will, if suddenly I may.
Prin. You will the sooner, that I were away;
For you'll prove perjur'd, if you make me stay.
Biron. Did not Idance with you in Brabant once? 20
Ros. Did not I dance with you in Brabant once?
Biron. I know, you did.

Ros. How needless was it then

To ask the question!

Biron. You must not be so quick.

Ros. 'Tis long of you, that spur me with such

questions.
[tire.
Biron. Your wit's too hot, it speeds too fast, 'twill
Ros. Not till it leave the rider in the mire.
Biron. What time o' day?

Ros. The hour that fools should ask.
Biron. Now fair befall your mask!

Ros. Fair fall the face it covers!

Biron. And send you many lovers!
Ros. Amen; so you be none.
Biron. Nay, then will I be gone.

King. Madam, your father here doth intimate
The payment of a hundred thousand crowns;
Being but the one half of an entire sum
Disbursed by my father in his wars.
But say, that he, or we, (as neither have)
Receiv'd that sum; yet there remains unpaid
A hundred thousand more, in surety of the which
One part of Aquitain is bound to us,

Although not valu'd to the money's worth.
If then the king your father will restore
But that one half which is unsatisfy'd,
We will give up our right in Aquitain,
And hold fair friendship with his majesty.
But that, it seems, he little purposeth,
For here he doth demand to have repaid
A hundred thousand crowns; and not demands,
On payment of a hundred thousand crowns,
To have his title live in Aquitain;
Which we much rather had depart1 withal,
And have the money by our father lent,
Than Aquitain so gelded as it is.

Dear princess, were not his requests so far
From reason's yielding, your fair self should make
A yielding, 'gainst some reason in my breast.
And go well satisfied to France again.
Prin. You do the king my father too much wrong,

25

30

35

And wrong the reputation of your name,
In so unseeming to confess receipt
Of that which bath so faithfully been paid.
King. I do protest, I never heard of it;
And, if you prove it, I'll repay it back,
Or vield up Aquitain.

Prin. We arrest your word:-
Boyet, you can produce acquittances,
For such a sum, from special officers
Of Charles his father.

King. Satisfy me so.

[come,

Boyet. So please your grace, the packet is not
Where that and other specialties are bound;
To-morrow you shall have a sight of them,

King. It shall suffice me; at which interview,
All liberal reason I will yield unto.
Mean time, receive such welcome at my hand,
As honour, without breach of honour may
Make tender of to thy true worthiness:

You may not come, fair princess, in
my gates;
But here without you shall be so receiv'd,
As you shall deem yourself lodg'd in my heart,
Though so deny'd fair harbour in my house.
Your own good thoughts excuse me, and farewell;
To-morrow we shall visit you again. [grace!
Prin. Sweet health and fair desires consort your
King. Thy own wish, wish I thee in every place!

[Exit.
Biron. Lady, I will commend you to my own
Ros. I pray you, do my commendations; [heart.
I would be glad to see it.

Biron. I would, you heard it groan..

Ros. Is the fool sick?

Biron. Sick at the heart.

Ros. Alack, let it blood.

Biron. Would that do it good?

Ros. My physick says, I.

Biron. Will you prick 't with your eye?
Ros. Non poynt, with my knife.

40 Biron. Now, God save thy life!
Ros. And yours from long living!
Biron. I cannot stay thanksgiving..

45

50

Dum. Sir, I pray you, a word; What lady is
that same?

Boyet. The heir of Alençon, Rosaline her name.
Dum. A gallant lady! Monsieur, fare you well.

[Exit.

Long. I beseech you, a word; What is she in
the white?
[the light.
Boyet. A woman sometimes, an you saw her in
Long. Perchance, light in the light: I desire

her name.

Boyet. She hath but one for herself; to desire
that, were a shame.

55 Long. Pray you, sir, whose daughter?
Boyet. Her mother's, I have heard.
Long. God's blessing on your beard!
Boyet. Good sir, be not offended:

She is an heir of Faulconbridge.

|60|

Long. Nay, my choler is ended.

She is a most sweet lady.

Boyet Not unlike, sir; that may be. [Ex. Long,

1 Depart is here synonymous to part with,

Biron.

Biron. What's her name in the cap?
Boyet. Katharine, by good hap.
Biron. Is she wedded, or no?

Boyet. To her will, sir, or so.

Biron. You are welcome, sir; adieu!

Boyet. Farewell to me, sir, and welcome to you. [Exit Biron

5

[word. 10

Mar. That last is Biron, the merry mad-caplord;
Not a word with him but a jest.
Boyet. And every jest but a word.
Prin. It was well done of you to take him at his
Boyet. I was as willing to grapple, as he was to
Mar. Two hot sheeps, marry!
Boyet. And wherefore not ships?
No sheep, sweet lamb, unless we feed on your lips.
Mar. You sheep, and I pasture; shall that finish
Boyet. So you grant pasture for me. [the jest?
Mar. Not so, gentle beast;

[board.

My lips are no common, though several' they be.
Boyet. Belonging to whom?

[agree:

15

20

Mar. To my fortunes and me.
Prin. Good wits will be jangling: but, gentles,
The civil war of wits were much better used
On Navarre and his bookinen; for here 'tis abused.
Boyet. Ifmy observation,(which very seldom lycs)|25|
By the heart's still rhetorick, disclosed with eyes,
Deceive me not now, Navarre is infected.

[fected.

Prin. With what?
Boyet. With that which we lovers intitle af-
Prin. Your reason?
[retire 30
Boyet. Why, all his behaviours did make their
To the court of his eye, peeping thorough desire:

His heart, like an agat, with your print impressed,
Proud with his form, in his eye pride expressed:
His tongue, all impatient to speak and not see,
Did stumble with haste in his eye-sight to be;
All senses to that sense did make their repair,
To feel only looking on fairest of fair:
Methought, all his senses were lock'd in his eye,
As jewels in crystal for some prince to buy;
Who, tendering their own worth, from whence
they were glass'd,

Did point out to buy them, along as you pass'd.
His face's own margent did quote such amazes,
That all eyes saw his eyes inchanted with gazes:
I'll give you Aquitain, and all that is his,
An you give him for my sake but one loving kiss.
Prin. Come, to our pavilion: Boyet is dispos'd-
Boyet. But to speak that in words, which his
eye hath disclos'd:

I only have made a mouth of his eye,
By adding a tongue which I know will not lye.
Ros. Thou art an old love-monger, and speak'st
skilfully.

Mar. He is Cupid's grandfather, and learns
news of him.

Ros. Then was Venus like her mother; for her
father is but grim.

Boyet. Do you hear, my mad wenches?
Mar. No.

Boyet. What then, do

you see?

Ros. Ay, our way to be gone.
Boyet, You are too hard for me.

[Exeunt.

SCENE I.

The Park; near the Palace.

Enter Armado and Moth.

ACT III.

feet, humour it with turning up your eyelids; sigh a note, and sing a note; sometime through the throat, as if you swallowed love with singing 45 love; sometime through the nose, as if you snuff'd up love by smelling love; with your hat penthouse-like, o'er the shop of your eyes; with your arms cross'd on your thin-belly doublet, like a rabbit on a spit; or your hands in your pocket, like a man after the old painting; and keep not too long in one tune, but a snip and away: These are complements, these are humours: "these betray nice wenches-that would be betray'd without these; and make the men of note, (do you note men?)that are most affected to these.

Arm. Sweet air!-Go, tenderness of years; take this key, give enlargement to the swain, bring 50 him festinately hither; I must employ him in a letter to my love.

Moth. Master, will you win your love with a French brawl 3

Arm. How mean'st thou? brawling in French? 55 Moth. No, my compleat master; but to jig off a tune at the tongue's end, canary to it with your

4

Arm. How hast thou purchas'd this experience?
Moth. By my penny of observation.

This word, which is provincial, and ought to be spelt severell, means those fields which are alternately sown with corn, and during that time are kept severell, or severed, from the field which lies fallow, and is appropriated to the grazing of cattle, not by a fence, but by the care of the cowherd or shepherd, in which the town-bull only is allowed to range unmolested. 2 That is, hastily. A kind of dance. 4 Canary was the name of a sprightly nimble dance. 'i. e. accomplishments. The meaning is, that they not only inveigle the young girls, but make the men taken notice of too, who affect them.

Arm.